FCRM is a joint initiative between Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). FCRM is delivered under the Simplified Trade System (STS) reform agenda.
FCRM explores how government can get timely and accurate cargo information from industry. The initiative will help:
- effectively perform its border management responsibilities
- minimise regulatory burden on legitimate trade
- build a clearer, end-to-end picture of cargo movement through the clearance process
- leverage high-quality data and smarter reporting methods.
FCRM supports Australia's goal of maintaining a modern, trusted and efficient border. It will improve the quality, accessibility and timeliness of the cargo information collected from industry.
Scope
FCRM is a design project. It will not:
- build new systems
- replace the Integrated Cargo System (ICS)
- make changes to the Customs Act 1901.
It focuses on developing a modern business model that is ready to implement where there is an opportunity for reform at this scale.
The project's key priorities are to:
- identify what cargo information is required, who should provide it, and at what stage of the cargo clearance process
- develop and assess a range of model options to inform the future business model when it is time to modernise the Integrated Cargo System (ICS).
Future Reporting Opportunities
As part of our discovery work, we have identified several potential approaches to improve how cargo is reported to the ABF. These ideas are early-stage and may not all be included in the final reporting model. Each will require careful evaluation to ensure they maintain strong risk assessment capabilities. However, they present opportunities for incremental policy and operational improvements ahead of full ICS modernisation.
- Early and Pre-Load Cargo Reporting, where an initial report on goods and parties before loading in the country of origin is submitted. It enables proactive risk assessment and faster clearance, supplemented later with additional details if required.
- Separate Release and Clearance, for low-risk traders, provide risk-related data early to allow release of goods, while deferring complex duty-related information until later.
- Decouple Revenue Collection from Clearance, separate revenue assessment from clearance decisions where possible to reduce delays and improve flow.
- Alternatives to Cascade Reporting, address delays caused by dependency on late-stage details (e.g., flight numbers). Use additional documents like House Manifests to establish linkages earlier.
- Consolidated Cargo Reporting, using alternative data sources in lieu of individual cargo reports for some types on consignments.
- Dedicated E-Commerce Pathway, move beyond Self-Assessed Clearance by obtaining richer data from overseas marketplaces or importers to manage high-volume, low-value consignments.
- Leverage Existing Commercial Data, reuse operational data already collected by industry to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.
- Clear Roles and Responsibilities, ensuring the reporting obligations aligns with natural data ownership, reducing dependency chains and ensuring processes reflect operational realities.
- Container Status Messages, using container event data (packing, loading, discharge) from industry to provide end-to-end visibility of container movements into Australia.
Key benefits
FCRM will help shape how cargo is reported in the future by:
- reducing duplication and aligning government reporting requirements with industry practices
- enabling faster and more predictable border and biosecurity outcomes
- supporting international best practices in trade facilitation.
Next steps
Co-design workshops are underway to inform the development of the FCRM Consultation Paper. This paper will outline the proposed model options and describe the future state of cargo reporting in Australia.
Contact us
Your knowledge and feedback are essential to designing a model that supports both regulatory integrity and trade efficiency. To share your views or to learn more, contact to the project team at FCRM@abf.gov.au
